Through Visions of Science, Science Outreach has contacted various camp programs across the city. Each program has been provided with information on Science Outreach and Actua organizations, as well as information on the instructors and the projects.
University College Debate
This annual event held at the University of Toronto in collaboration with the National Society of Black Engineers (U of T chapter). It allows students to address issues on inclusion from different perspectives, approaches and methodologies. The debate seeks to offer information, advice, support and to motivate interests in present and future careers and skills development.
Black Family Science and Technology Awareness Week
This annual campaign during the second week of February is aimed at helping Black Families who aren't taking full advantage of today's technologies, which can significantly improve their quality of life. The campaign's goal is to eliminate the Digital and Scientific Divide for those families by exciting them about the importance of having a personal computer and Internet access at home and by explaining how they can and why they should make that a reality in their lives.
Technology is revolutionizing how people live and work. Now, more than ever, careers are demanding skills in technology. Highly skilled engineers, mechanics, nurses, teachers, secretaries, even fast-food workers require more technology involvement than ever before. While increasing technology skills are important, it is not the only issue our communities are facing.
Consider these:- A low percentage of African Canadians are involved in the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology
- The plight of African Canadian youth in the education systems is a major issue
- The level of science and technology literacy in the African Canadian community is low
- The increase in youth violence is a major issue
Access to computers and the Internet, and the ability to effectively use this technology, is clearly important for full participation in Canada's economic, political and social life. There is strong evidence of a gap between individuals who have access to technology and those who do not.
Lack of access to quality and culturally relevant science education programming for African Canadian youth and other underrepresented groups in science is a major impediment to full participation in the most exciting, innovative and rapidly expanding economic sector in the Canadian economy.
The purpose of the Black Family Science and Technology Awareness Campaign is to empower and fully equip our community of families with the resources needed to become actively involved with the technology revolution. We intend to assist the process by working with faith-based organizations, corporations with a strong presence in our communities, small businesses, resource centers, such as schools and libraries, and municipal, provincial and federal government agencies. By bringing together all these entities to focus on finding solutions, we hope to create models of success that will close the digital and scientific divide that threatens to perpetuate educational, financial, and social inequality in Ontario and the rest of Canada.
The Digital Divide
To be on the less fortunate side of the divide means there is less opportunity to take part in this information-based economy in which many more jobs will be related to computers. It also means that there is less opportunity to take part in the vast opportunities available online in education, shopping, entertainment, information and communication. National Black Family Technology Awareness Week wants Black families and youth to be a part of the technological revolution.
